FURIOUS Redditch United have made an official complaint to the FA accusing Swindon Town of an illegal approach for sought-after hitman Jermaine Hylton.

Chairman Chris Swan has written to the governing body following contradictory reports coming from the Robins.

Swindon submitted a seven-day approach for United’s top-scorer on New Year’s Day, meaning the SkyBet League One club would be allowed to talk to Hylton tomorrow.

However, Town chairman Lee Power has been quoted in the media saying they had already spoken with the youngster. It has been reported Hylton is set to sign a two-and-a-half-year deal with the County Ground outfit.

Swindon’s swoop came out of the blue, surprising Hylton’s representative Paul West and United, who had been talking to a host of Football League clubs interested in signing the player.

Swan said: “Swindon have made an illegal approach for Jermaine and it’s disrespectful to the club.

“We have spent a lot of time working hard to turn him from a straggly youth-team player into a very good player ready for a move into the Football League.

“Swindon submitted a seven-day approach for Jermaine on the morning of New Year’s Day, but their chairman has been quoted as speaking to him before the seven days are up.

“We’ve submitted a complaint to the FA and we’ll see what happens. We could make it very difficult for Swindon, but we’ve no problem with Jermaine.”

While Hylton is a free agent and United cannot demand a fee for the forward, they were in talks with all known suitors about some form of recompense for developing their star player and Swan is still keen to achieve that outcome.

Swan added: “We had been working hard to make sure the club gets some sort of benefit from Jermaine moving.

“Whether it’s a friendly, compensation, a sell-on fee or even a bag of balls, we’d like some acknowledgement of our efforts.”

Meanwhile, United have snapped up three young forwards from the lower levels of non-league.

Pilkington XXX’s Kyle Turner, who has scored 25 goals in Midlands Division One, debuted in the 0-0 draw at Banbury on New Year’s Day.

Leigh Phillips has joined the club from Heather St Johns and Luke Shearer has agreed to come from Alvechurch.

Redditch manager Liam McDonald said: “Jermaine is the best non-league player in the Midlands, so he’s going to be a big loss.

“But he’s an example of the sort of player we are developing and he won’t be the last to move from us to go into the Football League.

“I am incredibly proud to be involved with such a player and a nice guy and wish him the best of luck. I am also looking forward to working with our new signings because they have a lot of potential.”

United, who saw last weekend’s trip to Cambridge City rained off, entertain mid-table Dunstable on Saturday (3pm kick-off).